President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency and rolled out sweeping measures aimed at curbing the escalating violence that has gripped communities across the country.
In a broadcast outlining his administration’s new security blueprint, the president vowed to confront terrorists, bandits and other violent groups “with courage and determination,” insisting that Nigerians “deserve to live without fear.”
A major plank of the emergency push is an aggressive manpower expansion in the security services, alongside legal reforms and strict directives to state governments, religious institutions and herders’ groups.
Tinubu ordered a large-scale recruitment drive across the security forces, approving the enlistment of an additional 20,000 personnel into the Nigeria Police Force, raising the total number of new police recruits to 50,000.
He said the expanded manpower is necessary to reinforce police presence in vulnerable communities.
Security sources told PLATFORM TIMES that the police have also been authorised to use NYSC camps as temporary training depots to fast-track the process.
In a shift seen as long overdue, the president directed the withdrawal of police officers from VIP escort duties. Those withdrawn will undergo crash training before being deployed to frontline zones.
Tinubu gave an “immediate” authorisation to the State Security Service (SSS) to deploy trained forest guards to flush out criminal groups operating from forests.
He said forests have become sanctuaries for terrorists, bandits and kidnappers and must no longer serve as safe havens.
“The agency also has my directive to recruit more personnel to man the forests. There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” the president said.
In one of his strongest pro-state policing positions yet, Tinubu asked the National Assembly to commence legal amendments that would allow states willing to do so to establish their own police forces.
He promised federal support for states already running security outfits and said decentralisation of policing has become necessary in light of rising insecurity.
Citing the persistent rise in school abductions, the president warned governors against establishing boarding schools in isolated or poorly secured locations.
He directed states to reassess existing boarding facilities and ensure adequate protection for students. The warning comes after multiple mass kidnappings of schoolchildren in states such as Kebbi and Niger.
Tinubu urged churches and mosques in vulnerable communities to seek increased police presence during large gatherings.
“Soft targets must no longer be left exposed,” he said, lamenting past attacks on religious centres and rural communities.
Reiterating his administration’s commitment to ending herder–farmer clashes, Tinubu said the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development will drive the transition to ranching.
He urged herders’ associations to cooperate fully with the ministry, abandon open grazing and surrender illegal arms.
“Ranching is the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony,” he added.
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